Thursday, November 27, 2008

I had my new laptop stolen yesterday which sucks like hell. These things are so damn expensive to replace. And who really needs to dropa chunk of cash on a replacement laptop at Xmas....humph.

Anyway back to the hotness.

I´m in all types of love with this dress.I love a good maxi dress for their ability to toe the line between glamour and laidback sophistication. They hide a multitude of sins and enhance all your best bits. They´re so easy to wear, easy to dress up or down and appropriate for virtually every genre of invitation that will be making its way into your life over the next few weeks.

This little baby is a credit crunch friendly $24.80 from Forever 21.

The monochrome colour palette keeps it sophisticated and sexy. The floral outline is seriously hot at the moment. Worn with strappy heels, some bigass earrings and a sexy little clutch...you mi amor, will be....the hotness.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Apologies for the absence over the past week. Criss crossing across the world to be around in time for a new addition to the family. Everyone's well and the new bambino is gorgeous.

Back to fashion frivolity.

the festive season is well and truly upon us and I know the pressing issue when faced with so many fabulous invitations of what the hell to wear. So from now till Xmas (unless I stumble across something great I ahve to share) I'll be doing a series of posts called The Hotness...which will be the hottest pieces you can find out in the shops that need to be finding their way into your wardrobe, your lives and your party hotness.

Enjoy.

Up first, I'm in all types of love with this insanely slinky sexy waterfall dress from Warehouse. And at a credit crunch friendly price of 45GBP....make 'em green with envy ladies. (Oh and its far more flattering on than it looks in the picture..its skims not clings and quite frankly in pie eating season, that's what we like to hear).

Oh ok, a second one to really get you going. This insanely stylish embellished dress is a very merry 45GBP from one of my favourite sites www.asos.com. Love it.

Friday, November 14, 2008

I think of huge ranches called Fincas, and these huge brooding insanely healthy looking horses, polo, steak, the blue-white-blue flag, female President Cristina Fernandez de Kirshner....not sure of her story but that surname does sound like one of those old money names. Aha, just checked, she's teh wife of their former president...I guess she managed to pul of what Hilary tried and failed to do. Nice job, keep that shizzle in the family. She is unfeasibly glamorous looking for a President....just an observation.See what I mean?

Anyway, I think of Patagonia, Pampas...Eva Peron, and their most famous writer (I think) Jorge Luis Borges.

In terms of style I didn't know what to expect and must say it seems to be quite a mixed bag...

I've been a little obsessed with all things Japanese since I tried to learn Japanese at school. Yes really. When I got to Sixth form at CLC, I lobbied to get a Japanese teacher in to teach Japanese. My selling point being (at the ripe old age of mouthy 16) the world is becoming an increasingly global playing field and how cool would it be to have this high flying black female exec that can speak Japanese.

While my pleas, were listened to, alas I didn't get my way. Seems nobody else that year wanted to learn Japanese. Humph.

Japanese speaking inabilities aside,

I love Manga and anime, The look and vibe of Tokyo street life has always fascinated me. Those pod hotels...probably my biggest nightmare but they look fab.Harajuku girls with their kooky, quirky sense of style.

The superstrong, unique economy (second largest economy by nominal GDP and third most powerful on purchasing power) has always been a source of interest...you know that whole 'Big in Japan" thing that can make people who can't sell one unit elsewhere but miraculously sell hundreds of thousands.... .Jennifer Love Hewitt's album? Yeah, exactly. Samantha Thavasa that has utilised the celebrity power of Beyonce, Tinsley Mortimer and Paris & Nicky Hilton to launch their own collections of handbags under her name. Smart move. They literally sell out every time.

Lost in Translation showed mainstream pop culture a new slant on Japan. Loved that film. I love Japanese Tea Houses.I love sushi and I love 'proper' Japanese food...the glutinous rice, the pickled ginger, the teriyaki, kumquats, shiitake mushrooms, soba, udon, wakame, nori...(let me stop before someone who really knows Japanese food shatters my bubble by telling me that's all pop Japanese stuff).

So courtesy of

Lets see what's hot on the streets of Harajuku this week...the overall vibe seems very laidback and a little eccentric. Love it.I see they're loving the bright tights too.

And from the streets of Shibuya...seems a little more preppy, proper and has an understated sexiness to it.

And from the streets of Ginza...I'm guessing this is the 'City' as they all look a bit work-ish, as in serious high powered jobs work-ish...and is it me or are they more than just a little bit Cashmere Mafia? Love it.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Voters in the 18 to 24 age group broke 68 percent for Obama to 30 percent for John McCain, according to the exit polling. Those in the 25 to 29 age bracket went 69 percent to 29 percent in Obama's favor.

The only age group where McCain prevailed was 65 and over, and that by just a 10-percentage-point margin, 54 percent to 44 percent, the exit polls showed.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Anya Hindmarch is quite possibly one of the best know bag designers. The London based designer saw great success with the launch of her Be A Bag line which involves printing one of your personal photos onto a canvas bag. Genius. People were lapping that stuff up and many a Hugo/Charlie/Ben/Will/Alex/Poppy/Lottie/Apple/Liberty found their baby pics immortalised on their Yummy Mummy's arm.

She started her first boutique on Walton Street at the tender age of 19, and now has a bag empire consisting of over 60 stand alone stores worldwide. And she's been designing those wash bags for BA First class for over 7 years. Now I know I haven't had that privilege since I became a full fare paying member of society and I know a lot of other people don't have that privilege anymore or just yet, but somehow EVERYBODY seems to have so many of those washbags kicking around at home. Interesting.If you really want one for yourself, I'm sure you can find one for pennies on ebay otherwise, hop over the the BA retail sitewww.highlifeshop.com where they are currently reduced from 65GBP to 19.80GBP.

In 2007 Hindmarch, in collaboration with the global social change movement We Are What We Do, designed the global sell out tote bag I’m Not A Plastic Bag, using her influence in a positive way to make it fashionable not to use plastic bags. The limited edition canvas totes sold for £5, launching in four limited edition colours around the world, and were selected by Vanity Fair to be included in their "Oscars" goodie bags.100,000 customers registered online to try to buy I’m Not A Plastic Bag, while 30 people in Beijing, China were treated in hospital after being caught in what was described as a scrum. AND the bags are still being traded on ebay for around $60+. Not bad.

And now she's set to become even more of a household name with her new collection for Target, the budget chain across America. www.target.com

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Ok, I'm lucky enough to be in America at the moment so yes I felt the FULL force of what happened yesterday and wow.

I've been trying to think of the best word to describe the general mood and sentiment in the air last night and jubilant is the best word for it. (And I must add, its not part of my normal vocab). But I was actually surprised at just how ecstatic and excited people were.

People were out on the streets, whooping with joy, shouting, screaming, fireworks and lots of general revelry. You could literally hear a collective cheer and roar across the city when it was announced that Barack Obama is the new President of the United States. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it so I'm so glad I was here to see that first hand.

His acceptance speech was made all the more powerful and moving by the fact that he was so calm and composed and humble. People all around me were transfixed, literally. Every bar/restaurant/shop you looked into, everyone was watching Obama. And people were tearing up just listening to him speak.

And Michelle...wowza, did you guys see that dress? And those bangles? And those earrings? Wowee. when last did any country have such a badass First Lady? Impressed. And it also just echoed their youth as well.

I'm very eager to see what happens next for America and Obama. I think people do need to bear in mind that America is knee deep in dire economic and political times. A situation which will not and cannot be resolved overnight. From watching he reaction of people, I wonder if they hope Obama is some kind of Messiah that will deliver America from evil by ending the war and 'fixing' the economy.

As is often the case with world leaders, we tend to get a much clearer idea of what they really did do and what they really didn't do after they leave office. And I strongly suspect the Bush Administration made a much bigger mess than we're all aware. And isn't it funny how the economy goes to pot in its more extreme form the month before the election. The problem with that is things in America could potentially get worse before they get better. I just hope people have enough foresight to be patience with the changes that will come.

BUT I think the US is in such dire straits economically and politically they could benefit from the popularity vote (in the eyes of the rest of the world) they will get with Obama. Regardless of whether its true or not, voting a young black man into office instead of a wrinkly old school war veteran indicates, change, progession and the promise of equality. Now that, to me was worth every single vote.

The fact that America now has a black President who is so intelligent, articulate, calm, composed and seems to possess the qualities of a true leader, shows that dreams can come true. Keep you eye on the prize, keep you eye on the time and run your race at your own pace. Focus your energy in the right way on the right things and you will get to where you want to go. Have faith in your vision, believe in your dreams.

I'll share one of my favourite quotes. "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Eleanor Roosevelt

We all just have to believe, strive and achieve...YES WE CAN and YES WE DID!!!!!

UPDATE!

And daaaaamn...was I the only woman who was like, OMG that dress, OMG, those earrings, OMG those bracelets...Michelle. I salute you. And FYI dress is Narciso Rodriguez who for me is one of my all time favourite understated designers.

See, me and Michelle, peas in a pod. POD!

The picture perfect husband, kids, her wardrobe....

OMG, I think I'm actually in love with that family.OMG...I love them a little bit more!

America has just elected its first black president, Barack Obama is taking over the white house!

So black people, no more slacking off and "Is it cos I is black"...if a black man can be president of the United States, there's NOTHING you can't do.

YES WE CAN

and YES WE DID!

UPDATE!

And dayum...was I the only woman who was like, OMG that dress, OMG, those earrings, OMG those bracelets...Michelle. I salute you. And FYI dress is Narciso Rodriguez who for me is one of my all time favourite understated designers.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Poor you if you were there, snow in October? Global Warming and its freakish weather conditions is real baby.

Winter clothes tend to be dark and dull but no need to let your inner style maven go on holiday until the sun comes out again.

I'm totally in love with the new trend for textured and coloured tights and leggings (I prefer tights to be honest but to each his own).

I've already looked at the latex leggings and the lace leggings so no need to revist that now. But if you want to....

Today my eyes are more on the candy coloured variety and the tantalisingly textured....that;s the thing with texture...you just want to touch it.

These are all available from and are fantastically priced at 5 GBP per pair. I've picked out some of my favourite colours, totally getting the bordeaux. They've got a really good selection so check out their site for some credit crunch friendly priced tights.

CENTRE RIGHT: Public Beware Lace Up Leggings 25GBP...cute lace up detail but obviously not boot friendly.

RIGHT: JET riding leggings from www.revolveclothing.com...hmm. Too many years at Cheltenham have left me with no interest in anything horsey.

And yes, these are all black but they've got that sexy texture going on.LEFT: www.asos.com Diesel Printed Leggings 40GBP...and again I ask Ghetto or Fabulous?

CENTRE: Sass & Bide Rat's Tail leggings from www.revolveclothing.com $176 they're not cheap but I love the look. I'd have to see them on as all that texture might just magnify your pins and nobody wants that d they?